Picoult and Finney Boylan constructed a masterpiece. This novel has so much interwoven into a whodunit and why. I don’t want to reveal any spoilers - the “twist” comes to complicate, as in so many of Picoult’s other works. Makes you think. Makes you feel. Makes you pause. Would love another collaboration by these wonderful authors. The writing is superb and each character's point of view enriches the story without being distracting.

Once again Jodi proves she is the super hero of gripping novels. As usual, she takes controversial social issues and breaks them down to pluck your heart strings. While we seem to not be in the same lane on world views, she is able to bring explicit understanding and a softening of opposing ideas. This story has made its mark on me. Thank you, Jodi!

I've read all of Jodi's books so I am familiar with her style... I enjoyed the story and the mid book surprise had the book making me thinking about Trans people in this country. The story and writing were good but the story moved a bit slow.

This novel by Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan has something for almost every reader. It is a testimony to the strength of a mother’s love. There are a few jaw-dropping surprises, which I will not even hint about. This murder mystery novel filled with courtroom drama is nearly perfectly written. In addition, it’s an ode to bees and beekeeping. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

Picoult is a master at creating characters you love and want to cheer for, wrapped up in today's most relevant topics. Mad Honey is no different. This was such a compelling read, I couldn't get through it fast enough.

A story about mothers and children, secrets and lies and the people who think they know us best. Olivia is a beekeeper and single mother of teenage son Asher, living in Maine.. When Asher finds his girlfriend Lily dead at the bottom of a staircase, he is arrested and tried for her murder. This is old school Jodi Picoult in all the best ways - hot button topics, complicated characters and a courtroom drama. Tackling domestic abuse, transitioning gender, teenage love and how far mothers will go for their children, this book left me pondering the questions - when does a secret become a lie? How do we protect ourselves at the same time we are trying to open ourselves up to love? I really enjoyed this book, and there are some delicious sounding recipes included at the end. Also, fun bonus for the old school Jodi fans (like me), there is a character from an older book that makes an appearance here. 4 solid stars.**Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this free e-book in exchange for an honest review**

I rarely give 5 stars, but this book earned it in spades. What a beautiful story of two mothers' love for their children and the lengths they will go to support them. Jodi Picoult takes topical, in the news subjects, and brings them to us the reader educating us along the way.

As are often in Jodi's books, a twist appears at the half way mark. I do not want to divulge that as I feel it is a spoiler, but suffice it to say it left me gobsmacked.

HIghly recommend this book for public libraries.

The alternating authors' chapters were so seamless that I forgot two people wrote it. Picoult obviously used those mad research skills to find out everything there was to know about beekeeping and honey, and how to tie that to relationships. Told in two voices, a young girl who is murdered and the mother of the accused, this book tackles abuse and trust and would be a great read for someone who wants to know more about transitioning.

"Mad Honey" was an absolutely captivating, beautiful story. Many parts heart-pounding courtroom drama, some parts teenage love story, some parts still motherhood and finding oneself after loss (of many kinds), this book ticked all of the boxes for me and unfolded in a complex yet really beautiful way.

The story centers on Olivia, an apiarist with a complicated history, and her son, Asher. When Asher's short-time girlfriend Lily is found dead, what ensues is a very character-driven story that somehow kept my interest the entire time despite it's staggering almost-500 pages.

Picoult (as usual) and Boylan have crafted such nuanced, human characters in Olivia, Asher, Lily, and others that it's impossible for readers not to tumble head-first into their world as Asher is left scrambling for his innocence once accused of taking Lily's life. Told in alternating chapters between the present-day trial and past of Asher and Lily's relationship, their upbringings, and Olivia's marriage, this story not only kept me guessing until the very end, but it made me think in ways a book hasn't in a long time.

Utterly perfect for fans of HBO's limited series "The Undoing" and book clubs looking for a propulsive, discussion-perfect read, "Mad Honey" is an absolute force of a novel. Read it today.

It’s been a long time since I was as captivated by a story as I was this one! My favorite thing about Jodi Picoult’s writing is her ability to throw a curveball halfway through that I absolutely did not see coming.

Her 2021 title, Wish You Were Here, left me with my jaw dropped mid-read and this one did the same. Mad Honey by Picoult and co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan is another book I won't soon forget and will be an excellent book club choice for fall 2022.

In line with her writing, this is one that could easily be spoiled in a review, and must be read to be appreciated. I am once again in awe of the level of research, and true education, that Picoult has brought to her writing. This is a timely and necessary story that while intense, has so much to teach us. I highly recommend this read!

Thank you to Ballantine Books for my gifted copy to read and review.

This is another terrific book by Jodie Picoult along with co-author Jenifer Finley Boulanger. Picoult takes us back to the courtroom in this novel.
Olivia and her son Asher leave abusive husband/father and relocate to her home town and a new life. Ava and her daughter Lily also leave a dangerous situation and find themselves in the same town. Asher and Lily begin dating but everything changes when Lily is found dying at the bottom of the steps in her home with Asher by her side. Asher is charged with murder of the only girl he has ever loved. As the trial is underway, we learn details that put a new spin on what happened to Lily and how she lived and died.
This book deals with social issues that many people have no experience with but the way that the authors present them, you are able to see things from others’ perspectives.
Olivia is a beekeeper. I liked how the authors weaved the info about bees, honey, and their hives (mad honey and colony collapse disorder) into the story and how those also run through our characters and how they interact with each other.

"Mad Honey" is the 21st Jodi Picoult that I've read. Even though politically Ms. Picoult and I are miles apart, I love her writing. This latest book, which is co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is a great story. In typical Picoult style, the characters are fully developed.

This book is a blend of Jodi's earlier novels and her more recent social justice offerings. In the Author's Notes, we are told this book is to entertain, educate, and broaden compassion. It hits a home run in each area.

Picoult fans won't be disappointed. "Mad Honey" is full of twists and turns but has exceptional story telling at every step of the way. I was curious which chapters were written by each author. I'm happy to say, I couldn't tell. The book is that seamless.

This isn't my first Jodi Picoult story, but I'd never read anything by Jennifer Finley Boylan before. Now I'm a huge fan.

There were a lot of surprises in this story, I won't give away any spoilers but I will say it's not the typical love story between 2 teenagers.
I was hooked on this story immediately, and every page left me wanting more.

I guessed the real culprit of this story early on, and was curious how they were going to incorporate it in to the storyline.

I loved this story. It was a sad, yet heartwarming read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another excellent @jodipicoult novel!

Mad Honey follows Olivia and Lily’s interrelated timelines, starting from the day that Lily dies, when Olivia’s son/Lily’s boyfriend, Asher, is arrested and accused of her death. Olivia is forced to confront her past, and we learn how Lily and her mom came to live in the same small town as Olivia and Asher.

Thank you to @netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Another winner by Jodi Picoult.
Not only did I read a great book , I also got my Bee and honey lessons. I found this a very interesting part of the book as there were so many details and descriptions that I felt like I actually learned something reading this.
I do have to say that somehow I was able to predict the ending. I saw it coming.
This was another one of those stay up all night till I finish it kind of books.

I am always pushing myself to the head of the line when I get a chance to review a Jodi Picoult novel. “Mad Honey” is Picoult’s latest effort, co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan. As always, be prepared for a journey with plenty of unexpected twists and turns as well as a few “did I just read that?” moments.

Both Olivia and Lily are survivors. Olivia McAfee fled her marriage and Boston with her son, Asher, to lead a quiet life as a beekeeper in rural New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Lily Campanello, has also moved to New Hampshire with her mother who wants to give her daughter everything she has dreamed. While Olivia left her husband’s abuse while Asher was still a young age, could he have inherited his father’s violent tendencies? This is put to the test when Asher falls in love with Lily.

This book reminded me a lot of “The Pact” and “Nineteen Minutes,” so it was ironic when defense attorney Jordan McAfee (who represented the shooter in “Nineteen Minutes”) is hired to represent Asher after he is found with a body. Hence, the reader is forced to ponder whether Asher is innocent or guilty. Lily’s narration is done in backwards style, moving from the present to the past (which is a technique Picoult has used before) may or may not add clues as to Asher’s innocence (or guilt?)

If you love Picoult’s novels that focus on courtroom drams, this is a great example of that. Also, be prepared to learn plenty about bee keeping (which I found quite enjoyed, mostly because it was told through Olivia’s) perspective. The book absolutely captures the angst and vunerability of teens in a way that can make your heart ache. And before you think this novel is all Picoult, there is plenty from Boylan’s perspective too. 4.5 stars.

Thanks go to Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan , the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to give “Mad Honey” an early read.

Jodi Picoult returns to her roots with a new courtroom drama, where a teenage boy is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Lily. Asher swears he is innocent, but has had several violent outbursts in the past. Could he have inherited this tendency from his father, who abused his mother before they divorced? Asher's mother Olive is a beekeeper who tries to keep both her hives and her home safe from the attacks they are under, but does she fully trust her son's innocence? And was there a secret Lily was keeping from Asher, one that could have led to her death? All answers are ready for you in this compelling double author book.

As a huge Jodi Picoult fan, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Mad Honey from Net Galley. I devoured it over a long weekend, picking it up every chance I could get, I have read evey one of her books and loved almost all of them. This one reminded me of her earlier works. It was written in the same style and dealt with social/moral issues that really make you think. . Also, like many of her earlier books it involved a great courtroom drama. The characters are so well developed that I actually felt like i totally understood them,. Without giving anything away, there is a huge twist about halfway through, which totally turns the focus of the book. It introduces a totally new social issue, that I personally have never dealt with, but feel like I learned so much about.

One of the main characthers is a beekeeper, which is quite interesting. Many parallels are made between a bee's life and the story, although I did get a bit lost in some of the descriptions of beekeeping, I still found it interesting.

I hadn't even realized that the story was co-written with another author (Jennifer Finney Boylan)until I had already started the book. After reading the authors notes I love the explanation of how the book came to be and how they collaborated together.

What I have always liked best about Jodi Picoult's books is that they make you think and learn about things you may not otherwise have the opportunity to. The book was powerful and moving. I'm sad that the I finished it so quickly and now have to wait for the next one!

Wow, so many compelling elements in this courtroom/family drama! Very real issues covered here. I learned some things I didn't know before reading this one, and maybe you will too!

Olivia is the mom, divorced from Braden. She doesn't trust due to her past - rightfully so - and she finds solace in raising bees back where she grew up.

Asher is the son Olivia raises on her own. He is a hockey player and falls hard in love with the new girl, Lily.

Lily is the new girl in town needing a fresh start and and the same time, to conceal and protect her past. Lily falls hard for Asher and slowly allows herself to enjoy her new sense of self.

When tragedy strikes, fingers are pointed towards the most obvious; however, everything is not as it seems. Secrets are revealed, truth is revealed, but not all answers are found. The defense and prosecution are each entirely believable, making for a nail-biter of a novel.

Reading the author's notes is a must-do on this one, as Picoult and Finney Boylan's match-up to create this book is quite a story itself and an important work.

This book is about Olivia, who has divorced Asher's father due to domestic violence. Olivia is worried that Asher could have inherited his father's tendencies. This book is about Asher who falls in love with Lily, who is found dead from a traumatic fall. This book is about Lily and her mother, Ava. Ava, who only wants her child to have a meaningful life and relocates the both of them to get away from Lily's father. This book is about a murder trial with Asher facing a lifetime in prison and the secret that Lily and her mother have kept from the community.

This book dropped me in my tracks, completely surprised me and I barely caught my jaw before it hit the floor. Using a mix of past and present, the events that lead up to Lily's death is parceled out to the reader, resulting in a very suspenseful read. Not only is it suspenseful but it is also a book that educates. Once again, the author tackles a volatile issue that is prominent in the United States today. I give kudos to the authors for opening my eyes and "hearing" what needs to be said in regards to our world today. I have written an honest review in exchange for the DARC I received from Penguin Random House and NetGalley.